Display-package.



R. I. BENTLEY, In.

'DISPLAY PACKAGE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV; 23. ISIS. 1,203,963.

Patented Nov. 7, 1916.

III

A TTORNEY ROBERT I. BENTLEY, JR., OF SAN JOSE. CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO MUIRSON LABEL COMPANY, OF SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION F CALIFORNIA.

DISPLAY-PACKAGE.

1,203,963. Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 7, 1916. Application led November 23, 1915. Serial No. 62,972.

I. BENTLEY,

, play-Packages, of which the following is a specificatio My invention relates, in general, to the art of displaying goods, and, in particular, to the practices, methods and means employed in the exhibition of comestibles, especially fruit in boxes or packages.

In this art two considerations may be regarded as fundamental, namely those of sanitation and attractiveness. These, 1n some sense are antagonistic, in that the former depends in great part upon closure and the latter upon exposure. To harmonize these and make it possible at the same time to protect the goods and to agreeably display them is the object of my invention.

To make this clearer the specific example of a box of dried prunes may be taken. In packing prunes in a box it is the custom to place a layer of the fruit in orderly arrangement in the bottom of the box, line specimens being selected for the c omposition of this layer. The remainder of the box is then filledV without regard to order or selection. Then the cover is nailed on. Whenthis box reaches the retailer, he inverts it by making mitting ready the contents of the box, it does not prevent that. loss of attractiveness which must immediately follow the disturbance of the or- .derly arranged layer, or, if it be conceived,

as might be the case with some fruit, that some regard for order may exist throughout the mass, the glass pane does not maintain the appearance of fullness nor conceal the gradual waste of contents due to sale therefrom.v

My invention contemplates the provision of mea-ns for covering the fruit while per` access to it, said means being of such a nature as to present at all times the appearance of fullness and orderly arrangement regardless of the real condition, thereby providing' a display package fulfillingall the requirements of sanitation and attractiveness.

In the accompanying drawings, to which reference is hereby made, I illustrate the bestform in which my invention may be embodied.

In these drawings-Figure l is a view of my display package showing it in its normal condition of display, the ordinary box cover having been removed and set to one side, as shown. Fig. 2 is a cross section of the box showing more particularly one form of the readily detachable connections which maintain the relation of display cover to the box, and showing' also, from the volume of fruit that which was the bottom the top, and he in the box, that it has been drawn upon for then removes this new top, thereby expossale. Fig. 3 is a detail View showing aning the orderly arranged layer. The box is other form of detachable connection for the then set up to view at an angle, usually display cover. endwise. l is a box, of which 2, shown in Fig. l

It is a well recognized psychological fact as removed, is the ordinary cover. that there is special attraction in numbers, 3 is the display cover. This is a plate of and that when there is a multitude from any suitable material. In practice, it will which to select, an incentive to purchase is be of card-board or still paper. It is of a presented which is wholly apart from and size to lit within the box and cover its conis in addition to the general desirable aptents. One essential feature of this cover pearance and orderly arrangement of the is that it bears upon its outer face, as is goods. This complete effect, however, can shown in Fig. l, the pictorial representation only be preserved, in the example under conof an orderly arranged layer of the box sideration, by keeping, the box full and not contents. The photographic and lithodisturbing the attractive orderly arranged graphic arts now make it possible to prodisplay layer; but obviously, this is inconvide a realistic and attractive picture of l sistent with selling from the box, and, morethis subject. Another essential of this 05 over, is not sanitary for the fruit should be cover is that it must maintain a fixed reladisposed of within a reasonable time after tion or position in the box without regard exposure. The expedient of using a glass to the volume of the box contents. This pane to cover the fruit does not fully serve position is at the top of the box, so that ,im

the end in view, for while it serves to cover whatever may be the level of the fruit in l and 2 tongues 4 on the display cover,

adapted to fit in grooves o in the box, and in Fig. 3, I show ledges (5 on the box upon which the display cover may rest. I am not to be confined to these forms of connection or support, however, for many others may be found practicable.

The main point is that the display cover is fixed in position in the top of the box fand is not dependent for its support upon the fruit itself which would, as its volume decreases, cause the cover to follow down and thus destroy the appearance or impres- `sion of fullness.

In practice, it is contemplated that the packer will place the fruit in the box with out regard to special orderly display arrangement other than may be dictated by economy of space or general principles of packing. Then the box is full he will insert`in its place the pictorial display cover 3. Then he will nail the ordinary cover 2 upon the box. When the box reaches the retailer, he will remove and set aside the ordinary cover 2, and will set the box up for observation with its display cover in full view. This cover will indicate to the purchaser the nature of the contents of the box. It will satisfy him of the protection of said contents from contamination. And, finally, it will attract him both from its appearance of fullness and by reason of its showing of orderly arrangement. These are the objects of successful display.Y He may be served from the contents Vof the box by removing the display cover, and when said cover is replaced the normal desired condition is restored.

I am aware of the practice of placing in boxes,'containers and other packages, what is termed in the art a collan This is usually a picture card or sheet having only an ornamental value and not indicative of the contents of the box. It is intended to be and is usually removed when the box is opened, or if it be allowed to remain, it con tinues to serve only its original purpose of ornamentation. Y

-I am also aware of the practice of pasting around the exterior of a can a label highly glazed and printed to represent a transparent ar filled with fruit indicative of the contents of the can, and I also know of the practice of pasting on the exterior of a container a lithographie label pictorially indicating its contents. I do not claim these as my invention, but

IVhat I do claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- A displayepackage comprising a container having a cover; an opaque display-cover having on its face a pictorial representation of an orderly arranged layer of the contents of the container; and means for removably supporting said display cover in a fixed plane within the top of said container under its cover and directly above and completely covering its contents.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT I. BENTLEY, JR.A VVitness-es:

S. CoNs'rrNn, WM. F. BOOTH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing' the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

